A team of Canadian researchers identified a genetic marker that links attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood to smoking habit later in life.
According to Ridha Joober and colleagues from the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Montreal, children with ADHD are more likely to start smoking early compared to others without the disorder. Findings are based on the experiments conducted by the researchers on 454 children with ADHD, aged between six and 12.
Researchers collected information about the children's behavioral and emotional problems through a series of tests. Blood samples from all the participants, their parents and siblings were tested for five genetic variations related to different smoking behaviors. Smoking habits of mothers during pregnancy were also noted down.Of the total, about 171 mothers reported smoking during pregnancy.
Researchers identified a genetic variant - C allele of rs 1329650 associated with cigarette smoking in adulthood and childhood ADHD. They found risk of passing the gene from parents to children. Children experiencing behavioral problems and concentration were found at higher risk of possessing the gene.
However, the researchers couldn't find any additional risks associated with smoking during pregnancy and the high risk allele.
"Given that smoking is a preventable behavior, studies identifying common genetic factors for ADHD and smoking may help in the earlier identification of subjects who are more prone to develop dependence to cigarette smoking," Med Page Today quoted Joober and colleagues, as writing.
Results of the study have been published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.
The findings come at a time when over 393,000 Americans die due to smoking related diseases each year. According to American Lung Association, cigarette smoke contains more than 4,800 chemicals, including 69 causing cancer. According to them, a majority of Americans (70 percent) starts smoking at 18.
One in 11 children in the country suffer from ADHD or one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood. It is often tough to cure the disorder fully. Children with ADHD experience a wide range of problems like paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors and hyperactivity.
